Recently I have been in severe pain through toothache. It is strange, whenever I used to hear of people complaining of toothache, I used to shrug the issue off, thinking – how can they complain about such a trivial thing?! And yet now, I can honestly say this is the most pain I have ever been in, and I cannot wait for what I hope is going to be a quick recovery!
At first I believed this was just going to be a brief overnight issue. A dose of paracetamol I believed would see me through the night, then to wake up back to normal. However the pain got progressively worse. It is at the stage now where I have been prescribed ‘Dihydrocodeine’ – a painkiller for moderate to severe pain. This painkiller certainly helps – I need it as I wait for a procedure to be done.
However in these bed-ridden days, the experience has led to me thinking a lot about the notion of pain. It got me thinking about the topic of assisted suicide – a delicate topic at the best of times. This is the idea that some people are in such pain, that the only feasible option for them is to be relieved of their pain. And thus, said people are able to be put out of pain, and pass away with dignity and on their own terms.
Several times in the last few days, I have felt to myself that the pain is so great that I really would do just about anything to get rid of the pain. It made me realize how some people, including those who support assisted suicide, can believe in such a position. As a Christian, I have always believed that all life is a gift from God and therefore should be cherished, regardless of situation.
Yet in the last few days, I have understood more about pain. I can only feel sorry for those in constant pain. Normally I would say I can’t imagine their pain – but after the last few days, I now have some idea of this. But I can’t imagine having to constantly deal with the pain. Assisted suicide is a topic sure to continue to be discussed in forthcoming times, but one that will surely always edge towards not allowing it.
I understand more about pain after this last week. I hope that a quick recovery is on the way when my procedure eventually takes place. As for assisted suicide, as mentioned, it is going to be a topic that will continue to attract heated debate. It is a very difficult topic to discuss and reach a conclusion too. But when someone is in a terminal position, or has long-term pain, it can be very difficult to carry on. Perhaps one day there will be a solution to this ongoing issue.
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/MF/
Millicent Faith 